# NTSB CEN09CA272: Cessna A185F, N4603E, Patterson, LA, April 29, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2009, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Patterson, LA - Coordinates: 29.604444, -91.473052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6044&lon=-91.4731&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 73756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73756/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA272 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in a turn while attempting to return to land, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The single-engine float plane was unable to maintain a climb after takeoff from a canal. The commercial pilot reported that after climbing to about 200 feet, he "felt like the aircraft was slowly losing power...and was starting to descend." The only available landing area was a canal that was located 90 degrees off the left side of the airplane. The pilot elected to turn left, and estimated that while in a 30-degree angle of bank the airplane “stalled.” The pilot was able to get the wings level prior to touchdown. The airplane impacted the water in a nose-down attitude and immediately nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. The float landing gear separated from the fuselage during the impact and the airplane subsequently sank. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The reason for the reported loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative The single-engine float plane was unable to maintain a climb after takeoff from a canal. The commercial pilot reported, that after climbing to about 200 feet, he "felt like the aircraft was slowly losing power...and was starting to descend." The only available landing area was a canal that was located 90 degrees off the left side of the airplane. The pilot elected to turn left, and estimated that while in a 30 degree angle of bank the airplane “stalled.” The pilot was able to get the wings level prior to touchdown. The airplane impacted the water in a nose down attitude and immediately nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. The float landing gear separated from the fuselage during the impact and the airplane subsequently sank. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The reason for the reported loss of power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4603E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4603E-2009-08-28), registration cancelled 2009-08-28, S/N 18503811, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503811 - Airframe hours: 8111 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Nma Investments LLC, doing business as Jadco, LLC - Registered owner: Nma Investments LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2008 - Departed: KPTN, Patterson, LA - Destination: KPTN, Patterson, LA - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KPTN, 10 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090429006749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090429006749A), Apr 29, 2009: Cessna A185F, Patterson, LA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot made several attempts to take off from the water but the aircraft would not become airborne. He stopped and checked the floats and found that… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.